Starmer accused of ‘a scandalous attempt to subvert democracy’ by cancelling elections

Sir Keir Starmer has come under fire as he has cancelled May elections for the second year in a row as he fears “Reform UK will win.”

Nigel Farage has accused the Prime Minister of acting like a “despot” and he is stifling democracy by denying voters the right to vote.

The Sun reported that ministers are expected to make the announcement later today.

Farage said, “For the second year running, this failing Labour Government will now cancel elections in areas they fear that Reform will win.

“These are the actions of despots, not democrats.”

It has been reported that Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk, Hampshire & Solent and Sussex & Brighton will have their May elections postponed.

Polling aggregator Nowcast is projecting that Farage’s party will win 17 out of 18 Essex seats and looks set to make significant gains in Hampshire and Sussex.

The local elections are being postponed until 2028 and the Liberal Democrats spokesperson Zoe Franklin called it a “disgrace.”

Franklin said, “Democracy delayed is democracy denied. We are fighting to end this blatant stitch up between Labour and the Conservatives over local elections.

“The Liberal Democrats will keep working to give millions of people their vote back in May.”

Sir James Cleverly fumed, “This is a scandalous attempt to subvert democracy by a Labour government whose credibility and popularity are already in tatters.

The Conservatives firmly oppose this decision to delay the mayoral elections, especially when candidates have been selected and campaigning is well underway.

Democracy is being denied yet again after the council elections cancelled by Labour this year. There is no credible justification for this move. The Labour Government must reverse it immediately.

Reform’s head of policy Zia Yusuf said: “This is a blatant attempt to stop big Reform wins next May. It’s an act of a desperate government who are clinging onto power by any means necessary.

“Labour has proven time and time again that they’re not beyond denying democracy to millions of people in order to maintain their cosy status quo.”